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        HTC announces unlocked Windows Mobile 6.1 phone

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Apr 2, 2008 | Comments: 1


        HTC has announced the U.S. release of a smartphone that runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and will be sold in unlocked, carrier-independent form. The Touch Dual has a touchscreen user interface, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, dual cameras, plus GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) and HSDPA (850/1900Mhz) connectivity, the company says.




        HTC's Touch Dual
        (Click to enlarge)
        The Touch Dual will apparently be one of the first phones to ship with Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1, announced yesterday. Ironically, it needs the new operating system's revamped UI (user interface) less than most phones, since it also employs HTC's self-developed "TouchFLO" user interface (UI). When HTC first released TouchFLO in June 2007 on the HTC Touch, the company described it as enabling users to "sweep their finger up the display to launch an animated, three-dimensional interface comprising three screens: contacts, media, and applications."

        "The interface can be spun by swiping a finger right or left across the display, providing efficient access to the features consumers use most," added the company. TouchFLO is also said to be capable of distinguishing between finger and stylus input, and responding accordingly.

        Apart from the Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade and added wireless frequencies -- now set at 850/900/1800/1900Mhz for GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and 850/1900Mhz for HSDPA -- the Touch Dual is basically the same device HTC launched internationally in October 2007. For our earlier coverage, see here.

        As before, the device includes a two megapixel camera for photos, and a front-facing CIF (352 x 288 pixel) camera for videoconferencing. It also offers a 20-key QWERTY keyboard.

        Features and specifications listed by HTC for the U.S. Touch Dual include:
        • Processor -- Qualcomm MSM7200, clocked at 400MHz
        • Memory -- 128MB DRAM; 256MB flash
        • Display -- 2.6 inch touchscreen display with LED backlighting
        • Keyboard -- 20-key keyboard
        • Wireless interfaces:
          • WAN:
            • HSDPA, 850/1900MHz
            • GSM/GPRS/EDGE, tri-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
          • WPAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
        • Cameras:
          • main camera -- 2 megapixel resolution
          • secondary camera -- CIF (352 x 288 pixel) resolution for videoconferencing
        • Audio:
          • Built-in microphone and speaker
          • Ring tone supported formats:
            • MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV, and AMR-NB
            • 40-voice polyphonic and standard MIDI format
        • Other I/O:
          • HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB and audio jack in one)
          • high-speed USB 2.0
        • Battery type -- 1,120 mAh rechargeable Li-polymer battery
        • Dimensions -- 4.2 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches (107 x 55 x 16.5mm)
        • Weight -- 4.2 ounces (120g)
        The Touch Dual will be available this quarter online from the HTC and Best Buy websites, and in Best Buy retail outlets, according to HTC. Pricing was not released.


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